The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis is full of drama, but more importantly, lessons. After being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph rises to the position of overseeing all of Egypt, under only Pharaoh. God blessed Joseph with the ability to see and interpret others’ dreams, and he was able to interpret one of Pharaoh’s dreams, which foretold seven years of bountiful harvest that would be followed by seven years of famine.
Based on this glimpse of the future in a dream, Joseph recommended the following plan, which they put into action: “Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years.”[1] This stored provision of food would help get Egypt through the years of famine. But there’s also another lesson in Joseph’s plan.
Like Joseph, we have knowledge of the future that, in our case, we have learned through the Bible – that destruction is coming to this world. Not just a regional famine, but worldwide, total judgement and destruction. God’s word is like a dream that God has interpreted for His people through His Spirit so we may prepare for that future time.
How do we make provision for the world to come?
In Joseph’s case, he had Egypt use its current resources to invest in the future he knew was coming. We can do the same, but how? We can invest through our tithes and offerings. By loving someone as Christ would. By giving our time in service. By supporting missionaries. By being a strong witness in word and deed. We do it when we do anything to advance God’s kingdom in this world, in His church and among our neighbors near and far.
These investments don’t save us – we are only justified by faith in what Christ has done for us – but that same Christ has told us to “lay up” these investments in Matthew 6:19-20, which says:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Many of us save and invest diligently for goals like retirement, college, vacation, a house or a car, and we should. But we should also save and invest diligently in eternity, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”[2]
How can we invest today?
Driving Toward the Morning Sun 
You’ve offered great suggestions for investments in the world to come, Todd. You would do wonderfully in a heavenly banking industry. 😂 Thank you for your helpful suggestions. 😁
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Maybe heavenly banking is in my future!
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